System and apparatus for the control of illuminating devices



Jan. 12, 1943. E. w. RICKMEYER 2,307,959

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR THE CONTROL OF ILLUMINATING DEVICES Filed Oct. 20, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet l WWW N0 JillM Jan. 12, 1943. E. w. RICKMEYER 2,307,959

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR THE CONTROL OF ILLUMINATING DEVICES Filed Oct. 20, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 4.9 do 52 .3 /z 36 /2 N 6 J2 7 a 5 2' ms 5.9 it 64 I a //ZQ Patented Jan. 12, 1943 SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR THE con- TROL or ILLUMINATING DEVICES- Ernst Walter Rickmeyer, Elmhurst, Ill., assignor to Jefferson Electric Company, Bellwood, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application October 20, 1941, Serial No. 415,680

(Cl. 200-34) This invention relates to a system and appa- 12 Claims.

ratus for the control of illuminating devices and more particularly to a system and apparatus for controlling hot cathode gas discharge lamps used for illumination.

The characteristics of hot cathode gas discharge lamps used for illumination are such that to prolong the life of the lamps, the cathodes should be heated-for a predetermined short period of time before the gas discharge within the lamp takes place.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a system and apparatus for .providing definitely controlled starting and operating circuits for the starting and operation of hot cathode gas discharge lamps, such as fluorescent lamps used for illuminating purposes.

Another object of this invention is to provide a switching means for controlling the starting and operating circuits of one or more hot cathode gas discharge lamps which efiects automatic mechanically controlled timing of the lamp starting circuit with a single-manual operation of the actuating element of the switching means.

Another object of this invention is to provide a switch of the pull chain actuated type which is adapted to control the starting and operation of one or more hot cathode gas discharge lamps.

Another object of this invention is to provide a switch for controlling the starting and operation of one or more hot cathode gas discharge lamps which includes dash pot means for automatically controlling the time of cathode heating in the starting of the lamps.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Figs. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a switch embodying a preferred form of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the switch shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the switch shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 with the section taken substantially on a line 3-4 of Fig. 3 and in the direction of the arrows, and with the parts of the switch in one operating position thereof.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the switch shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 with the section taken substantially on a line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Figs. 6 and 7 are perspective views of elements of the switch shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the switch shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 with the section taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, and with the parts in different operating positions than those shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view with the section taken substantially on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8 and in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 10 is a schematic circuit diagram of a system for operating hot cathode gas discharge lamps and adapted to utilize the switch shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

Having particular reference to the drawings, the switch disclosed has a base ll of insulating material which provides a main support to which the switch parts are secured. For protective purposes, insulating cover plate 12 of substantially the same diameter as the base i l is mounted adjacent the base. In the switch disclosed in Figures 1, 2 and 3, which is adapted to the control of two fluorescent lamps, three sets of resiliently supported contacts 13, i4 and I5 are secured to the base I! as will be more fully described, and are preferably located near the outer edge of the base and spaced circumferentially. The set of contacts l3 has resilient supporting springs l6 and [1 with contact points [8 and I9 respectively mounted thereon near one end and integral angularly disposed tabs 20 and 2! respectively at the other end secured to the base it by a rivet 23 or othersuitable fastening means. The rivet 23 is insulated from the tab 2|, and the tabs 2i and 20 are insulated from each other by a formed piece of insulating material 24. The tab 2| is spaced from the base by an insulating block 25. The tabs 20 and 2| serve as soldering lugs to which lead wires such as 26 and 21 respectively are soldered. In the particular switch disclosed, the resilient supporting springs 16 and H are normally biased to effect separation of the contacts.

The set of contacts [4 has resilient supporting springs 28 and 29 with contact points 30 and 32 respectively mounted thereon near one end and integral angularly disposed tabs 33 and 34 respectively at the other end which are secured to the base I I by rivets 35 and 36 respectively or other suitable fastening means. The supporting springs 28 and 29 are spaced apart and the tabs 33 and 34 thereon project in opposite directions and provide soldering lugs to which lead wires such as 31 and 38 are soldered.

The set of contacts I5 is similar to the set l3, and may be omitted on a switch which is adapted to the control of a single fluorescent lamp. This set of contacts has resilient supporting springs 39 and 40 with contact points 52 and 43 respectively mounted thereon near one end and integral angularly disposed tabs 44 and 45 at the other end and secured to the base I i by a rivet or other suitable fastening means. The rivet (i6 is insulated from the tab 45, and the tabs Mi and 65 are separated by a piece of formed insulating material ii which also serves as a spacer between the supporting springs 59 and it. The tab 65 is preferably spaced from the base it by a block of insulating material. The tabs 35 and d5 serve as soldering lugs to which lead wires such as 55 and 55 are soldered.

A substantially u-shaped metal bracket 52 is secured to the mid-portion of the base it by a screw 55 or other suitable fastening means and has side portions 543 and 55 which project outwardly from the side of the base upon which the sets of contacts 55, i i and i5 are mounted. This bracket provides a secondary support for the operating mechanism of the switch. A piston 55 of a dashpot 5'2? is secured to the base it by the same screw 53 which holds the bracket 52 in place. This piston 55 is preferably hollowed out and cup-like, and is preferably made of graphite. A. cup-like cylinder 55 of the dashpot fits over the piston 55 and a compression spring 55 disposed within the piston 55 and cylinder 58 biases the piston and cylinder apart. The fit between the piston and cylinder is such that the movement of the cylinder which is effected in one direction by the biasing force of the spring 55 is slow. A block of insulating material 50 is secured to the head of the piston 58 by a rivet Si or other suitable fastening means and has projecting portions which provide camming surfaces for the actuation of the contacts which will be more fully described.

A stud 52 is secured to the side portion 55 of the bracket 52, as by riveting at 53, and projects outwardly therefrom. A slidable bracket 65 has an elongated slot 65 therein through which the stud 62 extends, the longitudinal axis of which slot is substantially parallel to the axis of movement of the cylinder 58. A cam 66 is rotatably mounted on the stud 62 adjacent the slidable bracket 64% and has secured thereto a ratchet 51. The ratchet is held in place on the cam by a riveted edge 68, and the cam is prevented from slipping off of the stud 62 by a spring clip 69 which is disposed in a groove 10 near the end of the stud.

A lever 12 has an end portion 13 of reduced width which is loosely disposed in an opening M in the side portion of the bracket 52, thereby supporting the lever for a limited rotary movement about the end portion iii. A compression spring 15 is disposed between a frame element 15 and the lever 12 to bias the lever is one direction about the end 13. The lever 12 preferably has an indentation at H and the frame element 16 is preferably extruded at 18 to locate the ends of the spring 15. A manually operable actuating element 19 is loosely and rotatably connected to the lever 12, as at 80, and extends through an opening 82 inthe frame element 16. A leaf spring which is held in position between the lever 12 and the spring 15 by the force of the spring 15 extends along one side of the lever 12 and through the actuating element 19 to bias the actuating element toward the lever 12. The actuating element 19 extends loosely through the opening 82 and is loosely connected to the lever E2 to prevent binding during the actuation of the lever 12 by manual force applied to the actuating element i9.

A pawl is loosely mounted on an end portion 85 of the lever 12 opposite the end 13 and is held in position adjacent the ratchet Si by a spring 85 which has one end anchored to the side portion 54 of the bracket 52 by a screw 81 or other suitable fastening means. The end portion 35 of the lever 12 is preferably reduced in section to provide a shoulder for locating the pawl 55 thereon, and in addition to fitting loosely into the opening 88 'in the pawl, the opposite bearing edges of the pawl are preferably curved as at 85 to permit rocking movement of the pawl on the end portion of the lever. The spring 85 preferably has a side flange such as 90 for holding the pawl against the ratchet and also preferably has a tip portion such as 92 which extends into an opening 93 in the side portion 56 of the bracket 52 to prevent turning of the spring with respect to the bracket. The spring 85 biases the pawl 85 toward teeth 94, 95, 95 and 57 on the ratchet 57, which teeth are preferably punched from and integral with the ratchet. The pawl has a hook portion 98 which is adapted to engage one of the teeth, such as 55, upon movement eifected by actuation of the actuating element 19 and the lever 12. movement of the pawl is effected by the spring 15 and the resilience of the spring 35 permits the pawl to move outwardly to pass one of the teeth 96, 95, 95 or 97.

The slidable bracket Ed has an angularly projecting portion 95 which extends through a slot H35 in the side portion 56 of the bracket 52 and is adapted to engage the head of the rivet iii. The slidable bracket 64 is biased away from the cylinder 58 and rivet Si by a spring M2. The bracket 65 also has a flange I03 thereon which preferably has a curved mid-portion 805 to provide a cam surface Hi5 which engages the cam 56. The cam 55 is preferably somewhat oval in shape, so that it has a narrow axis in one direction and oppositely disposed projecting ends I06 and 887. With the parts of the actuating mechanism disposed in the positions indicated in Figure 4, actuation of the actuating element 19,

lever i2 and pawl 84 to the positions indicated in Figure 8 by the application of manual force to the actuating element i9 efiects rotation of the ratchet 67 and cam 65, and thereby moves the slidable bracket 64 against the biasing force of the spring Hi2 and against the biasing force of the compression spring 59 to move the cylinder 58 on the piston 56 to a position such that the cylinder overlaps practically all of the piston and the spring 59 is compressed. The cam 66 holds the slidable bracket 64 and cylinder 58 in this position, as indicated in Figure 8, after the actuating force is released from the actuating element 19 to allow the lever 12 to return to its normal position of rest and thereby eifect'movement of the pawl 84 to position for engagement with the next succeeding tooth on the ratchet 61. Upon the next succeeding actuation of the lever 12 and pawl 84 by the application of manual force to the actuating element 19, the slidable bracket 64 is released by the cam 66, whereupon the slidable bracket is moved away from the rivet 6! by the spring I02 and the cylinder 58 is moved slowly outward under the influence of the compression spring 59.

The contacts which are illustrated are adapted to be utilized for the control of fluorescent lamps, and may conveniently be explained in connection Return with the circuit diagram shown in Figure 10. It is understood, of course, that contacts such as those illustrated and the actuating mechanism may well be adapted to the control of other devices and to diiierent desired sequences of contact operation. The sets of contacts I3 and I5 are similar. The supporting springs I6 and II for the set of contacts I3 each have end portions I08 and I09 respectively which are oflset in a direction away from the cylinder 58 and insulating block 80. Likewise, the supporting springs 39 and 40 of the set of contacts I5 and end portions H and H2 respectively which are offset in a. direction away from the cylinder 58 and insulating block 80. Opposite edges of the insulating bloclm 88 engage the supporting springs I1 and 40 when the cylinder 58 is in the position illustrated in Figure 8 and during a predetermined portion of the movement oi the cylinder toward and from that position. The engagement of the springs I1 and 48 with the edges of the insulating block 58 earns the springs I1 and 40 outwardly and efiects engagement of the contacts l8 and I9 and of the contacts 42 and 43. The supporting springs28 and 29 have portions H3 and H4 which are ofiset away from each other. A relatively narrow integral projecting arm H5 on the insulating block 88 extends outwardly from the cylinder 58 and between the supporting springs 28 and 29. When the cylinder is in the position illustrated in Figure 8 and during a predetermined portion of the movement of the cylinder, the projecting arm H5 engages the inner surfaces of the supporting springs 28 and 29 and thereby cams those springs apart to effect separation of the contacts 30 and 32. As the cylinder 58 moves outwardly due to the force of the spring 59, the projecting arm H5 comes between the offset portions H3 and H4 to disengage the springs 28 and 29 and permit the contacts 30 and 32 to engage as a. result of the normal biasing force of the supporting springs 28 and 29. At a different time which is controlled by the length of the portions of the springs I1 and 48 engaged by the insulating block 80, the insulating block comes adjacent the ofiset portions I09 and H2 of the springs I1 and 40 to effect disengagement of the contacts I8 and I9 and of the contacts 42 and 43 as a result of the normal biasing and resultant movement of the springs I1 and 48.

Referring to the circuit diagram of Figure 10 which illustrates the switch in its adaptation to the control of two fluorescent lamps, the set of contacts I4 controls the power supply line circuit to two fluorescent lamps H8 and III which are connected in series across power supply line leads II 8 and H9. The set of contacts I3 controls a series circuit between cathodes I 20 and I22 of the lamp H8; and the set of contacts I5 controls a series circuit between cathodes I23 and I24 of the lamp H1. Condensers I25 and I28 are connected across the sets of contacts I3 and I5 respectively. A choke coil or reactor I2! is con= nected in the line circuit to the lamps. In the disclosed switch, the sets of contacts I3 and I5 are closed when the set of line contacts I4 is open to turn ofi the lamps. The switch is in the position shown in the circuit of Figure 10 when the cylinder 58 is in the position shown in Figure 8 and the spring 59 is compressed. To effect illumination of the lamps, the switch is actuated to the position indicated in Figure 4. By manually operating the actuating element 19 when the cylinder 58 covers the piston 55 and the spring 59 is compressed, the ratchet rotates the cam 66 to efl'ect the release of the slidable bracket 84 and cylinder 58. Due to the dashpot action of the piston 55 and cylinder 58, the cylinder moves the insulating block 68 outwardly rather slowly. The projecting arm H5 of the insulating block releases the set of contacts. I4 for closure soon after the commencement of movement thereof, because of the short distance of the movement through which the arm engages the supporting springs 28 and 29. When the set of contacts I4 closes, all of the sets of contacts are closed for an interval of time during which the cathodes I28, I22, I23 and I24 are connected in series across the power supply line leads I I8 and H9 for preliminary heating. The sets of contacts I3 and I5 remain closed for a period of time after the set of contacts I4 closes, because of the longer portions of the supporting springs I1 and 48 which engage the sides of the insulating block 68. When the sets of contacts I3 and I5- are released by the insulating block 88 and open due to their normal biasing force, the oathodes have been heated and normal discharge within the lamps commences. The lamps are turned ofi by subsequent manual operation of the actuating element 19. The movement of the cylinder 58 by the application of manual force,

to the actuating element being more rapid than that produced by the spring 59, and the difference in time between the closing of the sets of contacts I3 and I5 and the opening of the contacts I4 to shut off the lamps is only an instant.

While the embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. A switch comprising, in combination, support means, two sets of resiliently supported contacts mounted on the support means, one of said sets of contacts being biased to the open position and the other of the sets being biased to the closed position, dash pot means spring biased for movement in one direction, means including a cam and a ratchet mechanism for actuating the cam for controlling the position of the spring biased dash pot means, means carried by said dash pot means for controlling the opening and closing of the two sets of contacts in timed relation, the last mentioned means holding open the set of contacts which is biased to the closed position and holding closed the set of contacts which is biased to the open position when the dash pot means is in a position to be actuated .by said biasing spring, said last mentioned means releasing said sets of contacts at different times to permit their movement to the positions to which they are normally biased as the spring biased dash pot means moves, and manually operable means for actuating the ratchet mechanism.

2. A switch comprising, in combination, support means, two sets of resiliently supported contacts mounted on the support means, one of said sets of contacts being biased to the open position and the other of the sets being biased to the closed position, dash pot means spring biased for movement in one direction, means including a cam for controlling the position of the spring biased dash pot means, means carried by said dash pot means for controlling the opening and closing of the two sets of contacts in timed relation, the last mentioned means holding open the set of contacts which is biased to the closed position and holding closed the set of contacts which is biased to the open position when the dash pot means is in a position to be actuated by said biasing spring, said last mentioned means releasing said sets of contacts at difierent times to permit their movement to the positions to which they are normally biased as the spring biased dash pot means moves, and manually operable means for actuating the cam.

3. A switch comprising, in combination, support means, two sets of resiliently supported contacts mounted on the support means and biased to normal positions; dash pot means including a stationary part secured to the support means, a movable part and a spring biasing the movable part in one direction with respect 'to th'estationary part; means carried by said movable part for operating the contacts to their operatingpositions other than those to which they are normally biased when the movable part of the dash pot means is in one position, the last mentioned means being actuated by movement of said movable part when said movable part is moved by said biasing spring to efiect movement of the contacts to their normal positions in timed relation; and manually operable means for moving the movable part of the dash pot means in one direction and for releasing the movable part for movement in the other direction effected by said biasing spring.

4. A switch comprising, in combination, support means; two sets of resiliently supported contacts mounted on the support means and biased to normal positions; dash pot means including a stationary part secured to the support means, a movable part and a spring biasing the movable part in one direction with respect to the stationary .part; means carried by said movable part for operating the contacts to their operating positions other than those to which they are normally biased when the movable part of the dash pot means .is in one position, the last mentioned means being actuated by movement of said movable part when said movable part is moved by said biasing spring to effect movement of the contacts to their normal positions in timed relation; and manually operable means fOr moving the movable part of the dash pot means in one direction and for releasing the movable part for movement in the otherdirection efiected by said biasing spring, said manually operable means including a rotatably supported cam and a slidably supported bracket engaging the movable element of the dash pot means during movement in one direction and responsive to movements of said cam.

5. A switch comprising, in combination, support means; two sets of resiliently supported contacts mounted on the support means and biased to normal positions; dash pot means including a stationary part secured to the support means, a movable part and a spring biasing the movable part in one direction with respect to the stationary part; means carried by said movable part for operating the contacts to their operating positions other than those to which they are normally biased'when the movable part of the dash pot means is in one position, the last mentioned means being actuated by movement of said movable part when said movable part is moved by said biasing spring to effect movement of the contacts to their normal positions in timed relation; and manually operable means for moving the movable part of the dash pot means in one direction and for releasing the movable part for movement in the other direction efiected by said biasing spring, said manually operable means including a cam supported for continuous rotation in one direction and having oppositely disposed similar sides, a linearly movable element actuated by the cam in one direction and adapted to move the movable part of the dash pot means in said one direction, and ratchet means for actuating the cam.

6. A switch comprising, in combination, a pair of cooperating contacts supported by resilient arms and normally biased apart, dash pot means including a movable part and a spring biasing the movable part in one direction, said dash pot means being adjacent one of the resilient arms and the direction of movement of the movable part being parallel to said one of the resilient arms, said one of the resilient arms being flexible toward and away from the dash pot means and having a substantially straight portion and a portion ofiset from the straight portion in a direction away from the dash pot means, means carried by the movable part of the dash pot means and adapted to engage the substantially straight portion of said one of the resilient arms during a portion of the movement of the movable part to effect engagement of the contacts, the last mentioned means releasing said'one of the resilient arms during the remainder of the movement of the movable part when the said last mentioned means is adjacent the ofiset portion of the arm to effect separation of the contacts, and manually operable means for controlling the operation of the dash pot means.

7. A switch comprising, in combination, a pair of cooperating contacts supported by resilient arms and normally biased apart, dash pot means including a movable part and a spring biasing the movable part in one direction, said dash pot means being adjacent one of the resilient arms and the direction of movement of the movable part being parallel to said one of the resilient arms, said one ofthe resilient arms being flexible toward and away from the dash pot means and having a substantially straight portion and a portion offset from the straight portion in a direction away from the dash pot means, means carried by the movable part of the dash pot means and adapted to engage the substantially straight portion of said one of the resilient arms I during a portion of the movement of the movable part to effect engagement of the contacts, the last mentioned means releasing said one of the resilient arms during the remainder of the movement of the movable part when the said last mentioned means is adjacent the offset portion of the arm to effect separation of the contacts, and manually operable means including a cam and a linearly movable element actuated thereby for controlling the operation of the dash pot means.

8. A switch comprising, in combination, a pair of cooperating contacts supported by resilient arms and normally biased into engagement, dash pot means including a movable part and a spring biasing the movable part in one direction, said dash pot means being adjacent the resilient arms and the direction of movement of the movable part being parallel to the resilient arms, at least one of the flexible arms having a normally straight portion and a portion ofiset from the straight portion, a projecting member carried by the movable part of the dash pot means and extending between the resilient arms, said pro- Jecting member engaging said normally straight portion of the flexible arm during a portion of the movement of the movable part to hold the contacts apart, and said projecting member disengaging the flexible arm when adjacent the offset portion and during the remainder of movement of the movable part effecting engagement of the contacts, and means for controlling the operation of the dash pot means.

9. A switch comprising, in combination, a pair of cooperating contacts supported by resilient arms and normally biased into engagement, dash pot means including a movable part and a spring biasing the movable part in one direction, said dash pot means being adjacent the resilient arms and the direction of movement of the movable part being parallel to the resilient arms, at least one of the flexible arms having a normally straight portion and a portion offset from the straight portion, a projecting member carried by the movable part of the dash pot means and extending between the resilient arms, said projecting member engaging said normally straight portion of the flexible arm during a portion of the movement of the movable part to hold the contacts apart, and said projecting member disengaging the flexible arm when adjacent the offset portion and during the remainder of movement of the movable part efiecting engagement of the contacts, and means including a cam and a linearly movable element actuated by the cam for controlling the operation of the dash pot means.

10. A switch comprising, in combination, a pair of cooperating contacts supported by resilient arms and biased to a normal position, dash pot means including a movable part and a spring biasing the movable part in one direction, a

member actuated by movements of the movable part and engaging one of the resilient arms during a portion of the movement of the movable part to hold the contacts in a position other than their normal position, said member disengaging the resilient arm during continued movement of the movable part to effect movement of the contacts to their normal position, and means for controlling the operation of the dash pot means.

11. In a switch, an actuating mechanism comprising, in combination, a linearly movable switch actuating member, means biasing the actuating member in one direction, a rotatably supported cam having oppositely disposed similar sides, alternate sides of said cam engaging and actuating said actuating member to move the member against the force of said biasing means and alternate sides of said cam releasing the actuating member for movement by the biasing means, and manually operable means for rotating the cam to operate the switch.

12. In a switch, an actuating mechanism comprising, in combination, a linearly movable switch actuating member, means biasing the actuating member in one direction, a rotatably supported cam having oppositely disposed similar sides,'a1- ternate sides of said cam engaging and actuating said actuating member to move the member against the force of said biasing means and alternate sides of said cam releasing the actuating member for movement by the biasing means, a ratchet mounted concentrically with the cam and secured thereto, and a manually operable pawl cooperating with the ratchet for actuating the cam.

ERNST WALTER RICKNEEYER. 

